Extensible anchor post



Nov. 16,1948. 7 c. Hupkms I 2,454,179

EXTENSIBLE ANCHOR POST Filed Dec. 17, 1945.

m i I I g 3 I Inventor I V CL r05 HUD/(INS z q I Patented Nov. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE EXTENSIBIJE ANCHOR Po's'r Clyde l ludkins, Moundsville, W. Va. Application December 17, 1945, seriain 635,486

1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in extensible anchor posts for use especially, although not necessarily, in coal mines for anchoring coal cutting and loading machines thereto.

As explanatory, it is usual practice to anchor coal cutting and loading machines in mines by cables so that the machines may be moved about while anchored in an operating zone, the cables being attached by clevises, or links, to posts, or

pipes, secured at their ends in the ceiling and floor of the mine in upright position, by various expedients. This practice necessitates carrying on such machines various lengths of posts, or pipes, because of variations in the height of the mine ceiling from the floor in difierent locations.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a single post for use in anchoring such machines by cable in any location in a mine, regardless of the height of the ceiling, Within reasonable limits, from the floor, and which is adapted for easy quick extension or contraction to vary the length thereof, according to requirements, without the use of levers, springs, racks and gears, and the like, and is proof against contracting until conditioned for such operation, Will not readily get out of order and is comparatively light in weight yet strong and durable.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects presently appearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention hasbeen illustrated in the accompanying drawing, set forth in detail in the succeeding description, and defined in the claim appended hereto.

In said drawing:

Figure l is a View in side elevation, partly broken away, and illustrating my invention, in the preferred embodiment thereof,

Figure 2 is a View in transverse section, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of one of the dogs.

Reference being had to the drawing b numerals, according to my invention, as illustrated, an extensible post is provided comprising a main tubular section l of any suitable length and diameter and having a lower end 2 adapted to dig into the floor of the mine, not shown, for instance, by notching said end, as at 3 to provide sharp cutting edges 4 on said end. Preferably the main section l is formed of a section of pipe of cast iron, steel, or the like.

A clamp 5 is provided on the upper end of the main tubular section I including a hollow, long-itudinally split, head '6 for said section axially .1 said main section I aligned therewith and "of generally tubular form but tapering longitudinalliy of said main section I toward the same so that when the post is stood upright, said head tapers downwardly. The clampyli oam-prises a pair of opposed, complemental, sections 1, 3 each including a half section of the head 6 and a half section, as at 9, l0 fitting part way around the upper end of and forming an extension of the half head section. Pairs of lateral flanges ll, l2 on opposite sides of the complemental sections 1, 8 are opposed in pairs and bolted together, as at l3 whereby said clamp 5 is detachably attached to the upper end of said main section I.

An auxiliary tubular section 14, of the same material as section I, extends out of the upper end of said main section I and through and out of the head 6 for endwise adjustment to extend or retract the same relative to said main section i. The auxiliary section l4 extends out of the head 6 by way of an axial end aperture I5 in said head and is preferably adapted at its outer end to bight into the ceiling of a mine, by notching the same, as at E6 to form sharp edges IT on said end, in the same manner as described with reference to the lower end 2 of said main section I.

A pair of opposed dogs l8 of arcuate form in cross section are provided in the head 6 to fit part way around the auxiliar section M on opposite sides thereof, between the same and said head. Thedogs [8 are internally serrated, as at I!) to bight into said auxiliary section I 4 and are externally tapered, as at 20, in conformity with the taper of the head 6. As will be clear, the dogs I8 are adapted to slide endwise in the head 6.

A collar M is provided on the lower end 2 of the main tubular section I for confining a cable fastener, not shown, on said lower end 2 between the collar and the sharp edges' l.

The manner in which the described post is used and operated will be readily understood. In installing the post, the auxiliary section i4 is retracted inwardly of the main section I to contract the over-all length of the post so that the same may he stood upright, or substantially so,

iary section. Said section l4 may then be retracted the required distance after which the post is turned with the clamp 5 uppermost whereupon the dogs l8 will slide downwardly and be cammed by the taper of the head 6 into gripping engagement with the auxiliary section l4 and thereby lock said section M against further retraction. The lower end 2 of the main section I may then be fixed in the fioor of the mine and the auxiliary section I4 extended until its outer end is properly anchored in the ceiling of the mine. During such extension of the auxiliary section M, the dogs 18 will be frictionally urged upwardly into separated relation permitting free extension of said section l4. As soon as the auxiliary section I4 is properly extended, the dogs 18, under the influence of gravity, will slide downwardly and grip said section I 4, in the manner already described, to lock the auxiliary section against retraction and the post in extended position. When the post is thus installed, a machine anchoring cable, not shown, may be connected to the lower end 2 of the main section I below the collar 2|.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suflice to impart a clear understanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

An extensible post comprising a main tubular section having an upper end, a clamp on said upper end including a substantially tubular head for said section tapering downwardly, an auxiliary tubular section extending out of said upper end of the main section and through and out of said head for endwise adjustment to extend and retract the same relative to said main section, and means in said head operative under the influence of gravity and the taper of said head to grip said auxiliary section upon opposite sides thereof and lock the same against retraction, said clamp comprising a pair of opposed complemental sections each including a half section of said head and a part fitting part way around the upper end of the main section, and lateral flanges on said complemental sections bolted together in pairs.

CLYDE HUDKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,390,189 Bixler Sept. 6, 1921 2,232,884 Penick Feb. 25, 1941 

